Process & Types of Prototype Making

A prototype is what tells an inventor how his/her product will work in the real world.

It is the first physical model of the inventor’s invention, on the basis of which he/she receives feedback from the prospective customers and companies.

There are three main stages through which a prototype has to undergo during the production process of model prototype.

The first one is Crude Prototype, which makes an inventor feel better for design concept, the second is the Working Prototype that enables a user to test some of his/her invention’s features, whereas the Final Prototype is the final product of the invention that can be built with any type of material.

CNC machine prototype model

Though there are many other ways to prototyping an invention idea, Rapid Prototyping (RP) and CNC machining relate to the two main categories of prototype production.

Both types of prototype modeling have their own pros and cons, there is an increased growth in the efficiency of CNC machining, as compared to Rapid Prototyping methods.

The latter leverages a CAM/CAD software-programmed machine, which helps in creating prototype design within a fraction of time.

Contrary to the Rapid Prototyping, the CNC-machining centers helps in creating prototypes using different materials, such as plastic, wood, metal and ceramics.

That apart, it helps in producing pieces of all complicated sizes and shapes.